Can the world end poverty in 15 years?

We examine whether the UN achieved its Millennium Development Goals, and the diamond industry's attempts to bounce back.

Fifteen years ago, leaders from across the world gathered at the United Nations in the biggest anti-poverty campaign in history.

Pledging to "spare no effort to free men, women and children from the abject and dehumanising conditions of extreme poverty," the UN tabled eight ambitious goals to be completed by September 2015.

They sought to cut of the number of people living in extreme poverty by half; bring primary education to all; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases; promote environmental sustainability; and help develop better working relationships between governments and NGOs.

The target of reducing extreme poverty, those living on less than $1.25 a day, was met five years ahead of schedule; and more than a billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty. But with 800 million still living below that level today, the UN is proposing 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - which call for an end to poverty in all its forms everywhere.

The goals are expected to cost between $3.5 trillion and $5 trillion a year, and each UN member is expected to achieve them by 2030.

Nikhil Seth, the director for Sustainable Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, joins Counting the Cost to discuss the UN's plans for the next fifteen years.

Diamonds aren't forever

A symbol of everlasting love, diamonds have dominated the market for fine jewellery, particularly engagement rings, with the 'bling' seen as a requisite token to signify a marriage proposal.

But with stock market routs, currency depreciation and a slowing demand from China; the luxury item has not been immune from the economic slump.

The $80 billion dollar industry has faced a tough 2015, with diamond prices tumbling by around 15 percent.

De Beers, the biggest diamond producer and seller of rough diamonds, has been forced to lower prices and cut production.

Stephen Lussier, the CEO of De Beers Forevermark diamond company joins the programme to discuss how the industry attempts to bounce back.